Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official and paediatric dosages, pregnancy and breastfeeding guidance, and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official and paediatric dosages, pregnancy and breastfeeding guidance, and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The name of your medicine is Alimemazine tartrate 7.5mg/5ml or 30mg/5ml Syrup (called Alimemazine syrup throughout this leaflet). It contains the active ingredient alimemazine tartrate and belongs to a group of medicines called phenothiazines and works by blocking a natural substance (histamine) that your body makes during an allergic reaction. It also works directly on the brain to help you feel more relaxed.
What Alimemazine syrup is used for: • to treat itching (pruritus) or an itchy, lumpy rash (urticaria)
• as a sedative for children aged between 3 and 7 years. This medicine is given to reduce awareness or make the child feel relaxed and at ease before an operation.
Do not take Alimemazine syrup if: • You are allergic (hypersensitivity) to: • alimemazine tartrate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• any other similar medicines (phenothiazines) such as chlorpromazine.
The signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
• You have liver or kidney problems
• You have epilepsy
• You have Parkinson's disease
• You have thyroid problems (hypothyroidism)
• You have a tumour on the adrenal gland (called phaeochromocytoma)
• You have myasthenia gravis (a form of muscle weakness)
• You have an enlarged prostate gland
• You have increased pressure in the eye (called narrow angle glaucoma).
• You have a history of a blood or bone marrow disorder called agranulocytosis.
Children Alimemazine should not be used in children less than 3 years old. Do not take this medicine if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Alimemazine syrup.
Warnings and Precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Alimemazine syrup if:
• You are diabetic. This medicine contains sucrose, a type of sugar.
• You have heart problems
• You are elderly and are dehydrated or have been told you have a low blood volume
• You are elderly and have had constipation for some time
• You are an elderly male and have problems when passing water (urinating)
• You are elderly and it is very hot or cold. Your body may find it harder to control its temperature when taking this medicine.
• You have fits (seizures).
If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Alimemazine syrup.
Other medicines and Alimemazine syrup Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines you buy without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because Alimemazine syrup can affect the way in which some other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way Alimemazine syrup works.
In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
• medicines to help you sleep or lower your anxiety
• lithium used to treat some types of mental illness
• amphetamine used for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• phenobarbital used for epilepsy
• adrenaline used for life-threatening allergic reactions
• medicines for Parkinson's disease, such as levodopa
• medicines for depression
• medicines for severe pain (such as codeine or morphine)
• medicines for diabetes. Your doctor may need to change your dose of your medicine.
• medicines for high blood pressure, such as doxazosin, terazosin, guanethidine or clonidine
• medicines for indigestion and heartburn (antacids)
• anticholinergic medicines (includes some medicines used for irritable bowel syndrome, asthma or incontinence).
Alimemazine syrup with alcohol Do NOT drink alcohol or take any medicines containing alcohol while you are taking Alimemazine syrup. This is because alcohol can increase the chances of you getting side effects. It can also cause serious breathing difficulties.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
You should NOT take Alimemazine syrup if you are breast-feeding. This is because small amounts may pass into the mother's milk. This can be harmful to your baby.
If you are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines You may feel drowsy or sleepy while taking this medicine. If this happens, do NOT drive or use any tools or machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Alimemazine syrup This medicine contains :
• Sucrose . This is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine
• Sodium sulphite (E221) and sodium metabisulphite (E223) . These may rarely cause severe allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions and difficulty breathing, wheezing and tightness in the chest (bronchospasm)
• Ethanol . Alimemazine Syrup contains 81mg of alcohol (ethanol) in each 2ml which is equivalent to 40.5mg/ml (4% w/v). The amount in 2ml of this medicine is equivalent to less than 2ml beer and 1ml wine. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects.
• Sodium . This medicine contains 24.36 mg sodium (main component of cooking/table salt) in each 5ml. This is equivalent to 1.17% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure.
Taking this medicine • Take this medicine by mouth.
• Avoid the syrup touching any part of your skin. This can cause skin redness, swelling and itching (contact skin sensitisation).
• If you feel the effect of your medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose yourself, but ask your doctor.
• Do not take more than the recommended dose.
How much to take For itching or an itchy, lumpy rash
• Adults: • 10mg two or three times each day.
• Your doctor may increase your dose depending on your illness.
• Elderly: • 10mg once or twice each day.
• Children over 3 years of age:
Alimemazine Tartrate 7.5mg/5ml Syrup should be used: • 2.5 to 5 mg three or four times each day.
As a sedative before general anaesthesia children aged between 3 and 7 years Alimemazine Tartrate 7.5mg/5ml Syrup should be used:
• Your child's doctor will decide the amount to give.
• The maximum dose is up to 2mg per kg of bodyweight.
• Alimemazine syrup is given 1-2 hours before the operation.
Exposure to sunlight Alimemazine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Keep out of direct sunlight while taking this medicine.
If you take more Alimemazine syrup than you should If you take more Alimemazine syrup than you should, tell a doctor or go to a hospital casualty department immediately. Take the medicine pack with you. This is so the doctor knows what you have taken. Also do this if a child under 3 years of age swallows some of this medicine.
The following effects may happen:
Feeling drowsy, loss of conciousness, increased or rapid heartbeat, changes in heartbeat, uneven heartbeats and feeling very cold. You may also feel dizzy, light-headed or faint (due to low blood pressure) and you may notice you cannot control your movements (for example of the eyes, neck, arms and legs).
If you forget to take Alimemazine syrup If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. However , if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, Alimemazine syrup can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Stop taking Alimemazine syrup and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if you notice any of the following side effects: • an allergic reaction . The signs may include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
• liver problems that may cause the eyes or skin to go yellow (jaundice)
• high temperature, sweating, rigid or stiff muscles, fast heartbeat, fast breathing and feeling confused, drowsy or agitated. These could be signs of a serious side effect called 'neuroleptic malignant syndrome'.
• very fast, uneven or forceful heartbeat (palpitations). You may also have breathing problems such as wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and chest pain.
• convulsions/fits and movements that you cannot control, mainly of the tongue, mouth, jaw, arms and legs
• you may get infections more easily than normal such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers. These could be a sign of blood problems.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist straight away if you have any of the following side effects: • breathing more slowly or less deeply than normal
• feeling restless and not being able to keep still (akathisia)
• changes in skin or eye colour
• problems with your eyesight
• rigid or stiffed muscles, trembling or shaking or difficulty moving
• feeling dizzy, lightheaded or faint when you stand or sit up quickly (due to low blood pressure)
• unexpected excitement or hyperactivity.
• difficulty in passing urine
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects get serious or last longer than a few days or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet: • constipation
• dry mouth
• stuffy nose
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• feeling agitated
• dizziness
• headache
• drowsiness
• being more sensitive to the sun than usual
• unusual production of breast milk in men and women
• breast enlargement in men
• loss of menstrual periods
• difficulty in getting or maintaing an erection or in ejaculating (impotence)
• skin redness, swelling and itching (contact skin sensitisation)
• skin rashes
Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date, which is stated on the carton and bottle label after EXP.
The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
• Do not use after the bottle has been opened for more than a month.
• Do not used if the product appears to have deteriorated, such as if there are changes in colour of the solution or if the solution becomes cloudy or hazy.
• Store in the original package in order to protect from light.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
What Alimemazine contains syrup • Each 1ml of Alimemazine 7.5mg/5ml syrup contains 1.5mg of the active substance, Alimemazine tartrate.
• Each 1ml of Alimemazine 30mg/5ml syrup contains 6mg of the active substance, Alimemazine tartrate.
• The other ingredients are sucrose, ethanol, citric acid monhydrate anhydrous (E330), sodium benzoate (E211), sodium sulphite anhydrous (E221), sodium metabisulphite (E223), ascorbic acid (E300), apricot flavour, caramel flavour and sodium citrate (E331).
What Alimemazine syrup looks like and contents of the pack Alimemazine tartrate 7.5mg/5ml syrup is a clear colourless to pale yellow syrupy liquid. It is available in glass bottles of 100ml.
Alimemazine tartrate 30mg/5ml syrup is a clear colourless to pale yellow syrupy liquid. It is available in amber glass bottles of 100ml.
A 2 ml graduated dosing syringe and syringe adapter are also provided.
Marketing Authorisation Holder Mercury Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Dashwood House
69 Old Broad Street
London
EC2M 1QS
United Kingdom
Manufacturer Cenexi HSC
2 rue Louis Pasteur
Hérouville-Saint-Clair
14200
France
This leaflet was last revised in April 2026.
ADVANZ Pharma
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Alimemazine tartrate 7.5mg/5ml Syrup comes as oral solution containing 7.5mg / 5ml. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Alimemazine tartrate 7.5mg/5ml Syrup is alimemazine tartrate.
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Alfresed 7.5mg/5ml Syrup, Itzenal 7.5 mg/ 5 ml Oral Solution, Sugar-Free, Alimemazine Tartrate 7.5 mg/ 5 ml Oral Solution. In total there are 5 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Alimemazine tartrate 7.5mg/5ml Syrup, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Alimemazine has a central sedative effect comparable to that of chlorpromazine but largely devoid of the latter's anti adrenaline action.
In children aged 3-7 years:
• Pre-medication sedation before general anaesthesia
Adults and children aged 3 years and over:
• Second-line treatment in the symptomatic relief of urticaria and pruritus.
Posology
Paediatric population:Not recommended for children less than 3 years old ( see also sections 4.3 and 4.4).
Do NOT exceed the recommended dose (see also section 4.9).
Urticaria and pruritus
Adults: 10 mg (approx. 6.5 ml) two or three times daily; up to 100 mg per day have been used in intractable cases.
Elderly: Dose should be reduced to 10 mg (approx. 6.5 ml) once or twice daily.
Children over 3 years of age: 2.5 – 5 mg (approx. 1.7 – 3.3 ml) three or four times daily.
Sedative premedication before general anaesthesia
(Children aged 3-7 years:) the maximum dosage recommended is 2mg (approx. 1.3ml) per kg bodyweight 1-2 hours before the operation.
Method of administration:
For oral administration.
Alimemazine is contraindicated in patients with:
• Known hypersensitivity to phenothiazines or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
• Use in patients with hepatic or renal dysfunction, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, hypothyroidism, phaeochromocytoma, myasthenia gravis, and prostatic hypertrophy.
• Use in patients with history of narrow angle glaucoma and agranulocytosis.
• Use in children less than 3 years of age (see Section 4.4).
Patients are strongly advised not to consume alcoholic beverages or medicines containing alcohol throughout treatment (see section 4.5).
Exposure to sunlight should be avoided during treatment (see section 4.8).
Alimemazine should be used with caution in:
- Elderly or volume depleted patients who are more susceptible to orthostatic hypotension (see section 4.8)
- Elderly patients presenting chronic constipation (risk of paralytic ileus),
- Elderly patients with possible prostatic hypertrophy (see section 4.3);
- Elderly patients in hot and cold weather (risk of hyper/hypothermia) (see section 4.8)
- Patients with certain cardiovascular diseases, alimemazine may cause arrhythmias due to the tachycardia-inducing and hypotensive effects of phenothiazines (see section 4.8)
- Patients with seizures (see section 4.8).
Paediatric population:
Alimemazine is contraindicated for use in children less than 3 years of age due to the risk of marked sedation and respiratory depression.
There is a risk of post-operative restlessness especially if the child is in pain.
Alimemazine Syrup contains:
Sucrose: Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.
Ethanol: 81mg of alcohol (ethanol) in each 2ml which is equivalent to 40.5mg/ml (4% w/v). The amount in 2ml of this medicine is equivalent to less than 2ml beer and 1ml wine. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects.
Sodium sulphite (E221) and sodium metabisulphite (E223) these may rarely cause severe allergic hypersensitivity reactions and bronchospasm.
This medicinal product contains 24.36 mg sodium per 5ml, equivalent to 1.17% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
The sedative effects of phenothiazines may be intensified (additively) by alcohol (see section 4.4), anxiolytics and hypnotics, opiates, barbiturates and other sedatives. There may be increased antimuscarinic and sedative effects of phenothiazines with tricyclic antidepressants and MAOI's (including moclobemide). Respiratory depression may occur.
The hypotensive effect of most antihypertensive drugs especially alpha adrenoreceptor blocking agents may be exaggerated by phenothiazines. The use of antimuscarinics will increase the risk of antimuscarinic side effects when in conjunction with antihistamines.
The action of some drugs may be opposed by phenothiazines; these include amphetamine, levodopa, clonidine, guanethidine, and adrenaline.
The mild anticholinergic effect of phenothiazines may be enhanced by other anticholinergic drugs possibly leading to constipation, heat stroke, etc.
Anticholinergic agents may reduce the antipsychotic effect of phenothiazines.
Some drugs interfere with absorption of phenothiazines: antacids, anti-Parkinson, and lithium. Increases or decreases in the plasma concentrations of a number of drugs, e.g. propranolol and phenobarbital have been observed but were not of clinical significance.
High doses of phenothiazines reduce the response to hypoglycaemic agents, the dosage of which may have to be raised. Adrenaline must not be used in patients overdosed with phenothiazines.
Pregnancy
There are limited data from the use of Alimemazine tartrate in pregnant women, but it has been widely used for many years without apparent ill consequence. Some phenothiazines have shown evidence of harmful effects in animals. Alimemazine, like other drugs, should be avoided in pregnancy unless the physician considers it essential. Neuroleptics may occasionally prolong labour and at such a time should be withheld until the cervix is dilated 3-4cm. Possible adverse effects on the neonate include lethargy or paradoxical hyper excitability, tremor and low Apgar score.
Breast-feeding
Phenothiazines may be excreted in human milk. Breast feeding should be discontinued during treatment with alimemazine tartrate.
Fertility
There are no fertility data available.
Patients should be warned about drowsiness during the early days of treatment, and advised not to drive or operate machinery.
The following adverse reactions are classified by system organ class and ranked under heading of frequency using the following convention:
Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Blood and lymphatic system disorders:
• A mild leukopenia occurs in up to 30% of patients on prolonged high dosage.
• Agranulocytosis may occur rarely; it is not dose related.
The occurrence of unexplained infections or fever requires immediate haematological investigation.
Psychiatric disorders:
• Insomnia
• Agitation.
Nervous system disorders:
• Drowsiness.
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Convulsions have been reported in some patients.
• Extrapyramidal effects such as: Acute dystonias or dyskinesias, usually transitory are commoner in children and young adults and usually occur within the first 4 days of treatment or after dosage increases.
- Akathisia characteristically occurs after large doses.
- Parkinsonism is commoner in adults and the elderly. It usually develops after weeks or months of treatment. One or more of the following may be seen: tremor, rigidity, akinesia or other features of Parkinsonism (Commonly just tremor).
- Tardive dyskinesia: If this occurs it is usually, but not necessarily, after prolonged or high dosage. It can even occur after treatment has been stopped. Dosage should therefore be kept low whenever possible.
Eye disorders:
• Accommodation disorders
Cardiac disorders:
Cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial arrhythmia, atrioventricular (A-V) block, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation have been reported during therapy, possibly related to dosage (see section 4.4). Pre-existing cardiac disease, old age, hypokalaemia and concurrent tricyclic antidepressants may predispose.
Vascular disorders:
• Hypotension, or pallor may occur in children.
• Elderly or volume depleted subjects are particularly susceptible to postural hypotension (see section 4.4).
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders:
• Nasal congestion
• Respiratory depression is possible in susceptible patients.
Gastrointestinal disorders:
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
Hepatobiliary disorders:
Jaundice, usually transient, occurs in a very small percentage of patients. A premonitory sign may be a sudden onset of fever after one to three weeks of treatment followed by the development of jaundice. Neuroleptic jaundice has the biochemical and other characteristics of obstructive jaundice and is associated with obstructions of the canaliculi by bile thrombi; the frequent presence of an accompanying eosinophilia indicates the allergic nature of this phenomenon. Treatment should be withheld on the development of jaundice.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:
• Contact skin sensitisation is a serious but rare complication in those frequently handling preparations of phenothiazines: Care must be taken to avoid contact of the drug with the skin.
• Skin rashes of various kinds may also be seen in patients treated with the drug.
• Patients on high dosage may develop photosensitivity in sunny weather and should avoid exposure to direct sunlight (see section 4.4). Ocular changes and the development of a metallic greyish-mauve colouration of exposed skin have been noted in some individuals, mainly females, who have received chlorpromazine continuously for long periods (four to eight years).
Renal and urinary disorders:
• Urinary retention
Endocrine disorders:
• Hyperprolactinaemia which may result in galactorrhoea, gynaecomastia, amenorrhoea and impotence.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (hyperthermia, rigidity, autonomic dysfunction and altered consciousness) may occur (see section 4.9).
General disorders and administration site conditions:
• Paradoxical excitement has been noted.
Investigations:
ECG changes, usually benign, including:
• QT interval prolongation
• ST segment depression
• U-wave abnormality
• T-wave abnormality
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Symptoms
Symptoms of phenothiazine overdosage include drowsiness or loss of consciousness, hypotension, tachycardia, ECG changes, ventricular arrhythmias and hypothermia. Severe extra-pyramidal dyskinesias may occur.
Treatment
If the patient is seen sufficiently soon (up to 6 hours) after ingestion of a toxic dose, gastric lavage may be attempted. Pharmacological induction of emesis is unlikely to be of any use. Activated charcoal should be given. There is no specific antidote. Treatment is supportive.
Generalised vasodilatation may result in circulatory collapse; Raising the patient's legs may suffice, in severe cases, volume expansion by intravenous fluids may be needed; infusion fluids should be warmed before administration in order not to aggravate hypothermia.
Positive inotropic agents such as dopamine may be tried if fluid replacement is insufficient to correct the circulatory collapse. Peripheral vasoconstrictor agents are not generally recommended; avoid the use of adrenaline.
Ventricular or supraventricular tachy-arrhythmias usually respond to restoration of normal body temperature and correction of circulatory or metabolic disturbances. If persistent or life-threatening, appropriate anti-arrhythmic therapy may be considered. Avoid lidocaine and, as far as possible, long acting anti-arrhythmic drugs.
Pronounced central nervous system depression requires airway maintenance or, in extreme circumstances, assisted respiration. Severe dystonic reactions usually respond to procyclidine (5-10mg) or orphenadrine (20-40mg) administered intramuscularly or intravenously. Convulsions should be treated with intravenous diazepam.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) has been reported in the context of alimemazine overdose. Symptoms of NMS include a combination of hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status and autonomic instability. Since this syndrome is potentially fatal, alimemazine must be discontinued immediately, and intensive clinical monitoring and symptomatic treatment must be initiated.
Strict adherence to the recommended dose is critical (see also section 4.2)
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome should be treated with cooling. Dantrolene sodium may be tried.
Ask anything about Alimemazine tartrate 7.5mg/5ml Syrup. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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